Matrimony – Journey to Heaven with a Mate

Today’s post is an invitation to think about our own marriage, but also for those who have kids who are dating and thinking about getting married, so you can help to instruct them to the path they are preparing to follow.

What is marriage? Why get married? Is it really necessary to assume this commitment? Why in the Church do people say is for the rest of your life?

Those are some of the questions young couples preparing for marriage should consider before choosing matrimony, because wrong or unreflected answers about those questions are a great threat for the family these days.

The word vocation comes from the Latin word “vocare” that means calling. We are all called to fulfill a mission that God predicted for each one of us since all eternity and through it: to go back to the Father’s Home, to Heaven.

The marriage vocation is a journey to God with a mate. So, by hearing the call to matrimony, it’s necessary to be aware that, from the altar’s ‘yes’, the couple will walk to Heaven together. Each one with their own Personal Ideal (God’s project for their own life) and their own originality, but they will only get to the final destination through their spouse.

Their mission is now not only get to Heaven fulfilling their Personal Ideal, but to lead his/hers spouse to Heaven, facilitate his/hers way, and help him/her fulfill their mission.

The vocation to marriage comprehends the availability to give yourself to the other person with the strong purpose to eradicate all selfishness and individualistic self-centeredness, looking always for promoting the dignity of the other, his/hers happiness and fulfillment, through comprehension, tolerance, forgiveness, generous service, disinterested availability, and profound solidarity.

This vocation to marriage, though, is not for everyone. Jesus once told us: “For there are men who, from birth, were without sex: and there are some who were made so by men: and there are others who have made themselves so for the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to take it, let him take it.” (Matthew 19:12)

Therefore, each person should think very well if he or she is really called to marriage, so later he or she won’t be the cause of unhappiness for themselves and for their spouse, and also for the children that can be born from a relationship that shouldn’t exist.

“Marriage isn’t an adventure or a ‘shot in the dark’ like some people say; it is a serious life project taken by two, where each one is committed in making the other grow, i.e., being better each day. If the wife doesn’t become a better person because of her husband´s presence by her side, and vice versa, so their marriage is meaningless (…)” (Prof. Felipe Aquino)

About Author

Flávia Ghelardi is the mom of four, a former lawyer already "promoted" to full time mom. Flávia published her first book FORTALECENDO SUA FAMÍLIA and is a member of Schoenstatt´s Apostolic Movement. Flávia loves to speak about motherhood and the important role of women, as desired by God, for our society. She blogs at www.fortalecendosuafamilia.blogspot.com.